Cleaning implement



Oct. 2, 1934. s. J. DUN-AWAY lCLENING IMPLEMENT Filed Aug. 29, 1932 llk Patented Oct. 2, 1934v CLEANING IMPLEMENT SanfordJ. Dunaway, Dover, N. H., assignor to The Expello Corporation, Dover, N. H., a corporation of New Hampshire Application August 29, 1932, Serial No. 630,812 3 claims. (o1. 15-1'22) This invention relates to a novel cleaning implement comprising a container which contains a supply of detergent material, the container having at least one side which is pervious to allow water to seep or percolate into the interior of the container where it will mix With a portion of the detergent material, after which the mixture can be applied to the surface to be cleaned by rubbing the pervious material over the surface.

The invention will best be understood by reference to the following description whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawing of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be pointed out more particularly in the appended claims.

In -the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning implement embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on line 2--2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan of the upper portion of the container for the detergent material.

Referring to the drawing and to the embodiment of the invention selected for illustration, there is shown a cleaning implement comprising a container 4 which contains a supply of detergent material 5, the latter being either in the form of powder or a cake. rial may be feldspar mixed with a small quantity of soap.

The nature of the container is such that when it is placed in or moistened with water, the latter seeps or percolates into the container, mixes with some of the detergent material, and the mixture can then be applied to the surface to be cleaned by rubbing the implement over the' surface. To this end, at least one side of the container is pervious. sides of the container, as herein shown, is impervious, thus protecting the hand of the user, and f making it possible to use the implement in a cleanly manner and without wastageof the detergent.

In the form shown, the container is in two parts 6 and 7 which, together, form a chamber 8 for the detergent material, the chamber being formed as a recess inthe part 6 and the recess being covered by the part 7 which is in the nature of a closure appropriately secured to the part 6, as by cementing the same in place. The part 6, as shown, is conveniently made of sponge rubber molded to provide an impervious surface 9 throughout. It is a property of sponge rubber that, when molded, its surface has what is known as a rind which is smooth and impervious, and

a portion of the detergent material.

The detergent mate-v However, at least one of the remaining which gives no indication of the cellular character of the rubber beneath the rind. This fact is made use of to provide a receptacle whose body portion 6 (the upper part) is impervious throughout, so that the top and sides will not absorb and @9- exude moisture. 'I'his avoids wastage ofthe detergent material and soiling of the hands of the user. The trade-name, name of the manufacturer, and directions for use may be conveniently `molded into or onto the surface orsurfaces of e5 the rind. 4

The part 7, which constitutes a closure for the chamber, is conveniently made of sponge rubber having no rind, that is to say, the rind has been cut away, at least on the top and bottom, so that 7n water will seep or percolate through its cellular structure to the chamber 8 where it will mix with The resulting mixture will be retained by the cellular structure until the porous face of the implement is applied to the surface to be cleaned, whereupon the rubbing action or pressure or both causes the mixture to exude from the cells and to be applied to the surface. The texture of thesponge rubber is such as to promote the cleaning action by providinglthe requisite clinging tendency, frictionpand cleansing power. Nne of the material can escape from the surfaces which are grasped by the hand of the user. ITheimplement can, therefore, be used without wetting hand. l l

The implement is susceptible of a wide variety of uses, such as the cleaning of glass, porcelain, enamel ware and othermaterials, and of course the detergent material will be chosen to suit the particular work which is to be accomplished, the i one described being suitable for-the cleaning of,y manyI different kinds of surfaces.

Having thus described one embodiment of the invention, but Without limiting myself thereto 95 what I claim and desire by Letters Patent to` secure is: y

1. In a cleaning implement, the combination of a container comprising a body of sponge rubber with a chamber therein open on one side, all surfaces of said body having an integral rind, a supply of detergent Amaterial within said chamber, and a closure of pervious sponge rubber covering the open side of said chamber, said closure being pervious. 105

2. In a cleaning implement, the combination of a container comprising a body of sponge rubber with a chamber therein open on one side, all surfaces of said bodyy having an integral rind, a supply of detergent material within said cham- 110' or soiling the 851 sponge at one face of the pocket being open and porous for the application of detergent material thereby upon wetting the sponge, and the opposite portion of the sponge on the other side of said pocket having its sponge body enclosed in an envelope capable of excluding Water and including air, whereby to form a. cushion.

SANFORD J DUNAWAY.

`MIN 

